I was tweaking my Harmony 550--adding a new activity for streaming MP3 files from a computer upstairs. I was having trouble getting the SA-BX500 to go to the correct input. When I started troubleshooting, I was informed that an update is available to the Harmony for this AVR, and that applying the update would not affect my button customization, etc. Taking them at their word, I applied the update, thinking it might solve my issue. Oh, crap. All my input settings were reassigned. Two activities lost volume and mute on the AVR. Those are the issues I've fixed so far, maybe there are more. So, be very sure you really need this update before applying.

UGH! I've lost video output (HDMI) on my SA-BX500 this week (possibly storm-related, even with surge proctection). To make matters worse, my 42" Panasonic plasma *only* turns on before it goes unresponsive to physical and remote commands.

I'm still getting sound from the receiver (FM, cable DVR HDMI input). My video sources (cable, AppleTV, and BR MegaChanger) all still work when directly connected (via HDMI) to another display.

What are the chances of a "relatively" simple fix like a fuse replacement?

UGH! I've lost video output (HDMI) on my SA-BX500 this week (possibly storm-related, even with surge proctection). To make matters worse, my 42" Panasonic plasma *only* turns on before it goes unresponsive to physical and remote commands.

I'm still getting sound from the receiver (FM, cable DVR HDMI input). My video sources (cable, AppleTV, and BR MegaChanger) all still work when directly connected (via HDMI) to another display.

What are the chances of a "relatively" simple fix like a fuse replacement?

-SUO, not looking forward to checking non-HDMI functionality

Master Reset everything.

Disconnect everything and connect only 2 things together and see what still works. Maybe connect a known good component directly to the TV. Try with RGB Component cables if HDMI is down.

Get a good APC Battery Backup/UPS (even if just a computer model). They have better surge protection than any "power strip" model.

Hey out there fellow SA-BX500 owners! If any of you are still following this thread, and use a Harmony remote, I have a question. Is there a way to go directly to the CD input, without toggling through the inputs? I'm able to go directly to the 3 inputs associated with my HDMI devices (note that these have discrete buttons on the original Panny remote), but not with the digital coax input associated with CD. Anybody have a solution? Thanks.

UGH! I've lost video output (HDMI) on my SA-BX500 this week (possibly storm-related, even with surge proctection). To make matters worse, my 42" Panasonic plasma *only* turns on before it goes unresponsive to physical and remote commands.

I'm still getting sound from the receiver (FM, cable DVR HDMI input). My video sources (cable, AppleTV, and BR MegaChanger) all still work when directly connected (via HDMI) to another display.

What are the chances of a "relatively" simple fix like a fuse replacement?

-SUO, not looking forward to checking non-HDMI functionality

I finally had a local repair shop take a look at my SA-BX500. They've determined that I need a new HDMI board (REP4392A-T), and are willing to acquire the part for $130 with an additional $100 to install it.

I've already moved on to the Samsung AVR with the built-in 3D Blu-Ray player (it's not the greatest, but it does what I need). However, I could easily find a use for the SA-BX500 ... if I could easily find a new HDMI board, preferably for less than the cost of a new, adequate receiver. Web searches on the part number haven't been promising.

Man, I'm really sad reading about all this. I have a SA-XR70 in my closet that I was thinking about selling and trying to upgrade. I have a SA-XR700 as my main HT receiver and love it, potentially moving it to the game room and replace it with a SA-BX500 (that I've never heard of until now).

That Panasonic got out of this market and that no one really addresses this space/price range is kind of frustrating. Chalk me up as one of those that really hears and appreciates the clarity of the Class D receiver.

So, if anyone has a line on a SA-BX500 I'd be much obliged. Depending on how that works out I'll offer up my SA-XR70 or SA-XR700 (both in excellent condition w/ boxes) afterwards.

Man, I'm really sad reading about all this. I have a SA-XR70 in my closet that I was thinking about selling and trying to upgrade. I have a SA-XR700 as my main HT receiver and love it, potentially moving it to the game room and replace it with a SA-BX500 (that I've never heard of until now).

That Panasonic got out of this market and that no one really addresses this space/price range is kind of frustrating. Chalk me up as one of those that really hears and appreciates the clarity of the Class D receiver.

So, if anyone has a line on a SA-BX500 I'd be much obliged. Depending on how that works out I'll offer up my SA-XR70 or SA-XR700 (both in excellent condition w/ boxes) afterwards.

I had an SA-BX500 about two and a half years ago. I would suggest, in today's marketplace, getting a newer AVR with more than 3 HDMI inputs and that has much better room correction than the SA-BX500. That and my SA-BX500 has begun to develop quirks for the person who now has it. Some of the AVR manufacturers have their own version of room correction. The standard these days is Audyssey that comes in varying levels of refinement - more or less dependent upon how much one is willing to spend and what your other hardware is and whether or not one thinks that it is worth the cost. With that in mind, at least look at a Denon whose price range is huge.

I'm happy to consider a Denon or Onkyo, I've no strong brand loyalty/aversion. In general, having been impressed with the two Panasonics previously, I'd like to stay with a Class D receiver. I guess I should let that go and prepare to return to the realm of 40lb receivers?

I'm happy to consider a Denon or Onkyo, I've no strong brand loyalty/aversion. In general, having been impressed with the two Panasonics previously, I'd like to stay with a Class D receiver. I guess I should let that go and prepare to return to the realm of 40lb receivers?

It will probably be very difficult to find a Class D amp in a receiver from a major brand. The amazing thing about the Class D amp was that it ran exceptionally cool. If you can afford it, go with at least Audyssey XT in your new AVR. I have a Denon AVR and have never really had any great problems with it (mostly trying to decipher the manual). Just be sure that you have enough wattage to drive whatever speakers you might have. As to Onkyo, I have fond memories because my first home theater system was an Onkyo HTIB, but then I began to upgrade the components.

It will probably be very difficult to find a Class D amp in a receiver from a major brand. The amazing thing about the Class D amp was that it ran exceptionally cool. If you can afford it, go with at least Audyssey XT in your new AVR. I have a Denon AVR and have never really had any great problems with it (mostly trying to decipher the manual). Just be sure that you have enough wattage to drive whatever speakers you might have. As to Onkyo, I have fond memories because my first home theater system was an Onkyo HTIB, but then I began to upgrade the components.

The high-end Pioneer receivers have Class-D amps but they operate with analog signal as input, where as the Panny works with digital input signal. That is why the Panny is considered a "pure digital" amplifier.
I have had my SA-BX500 for 2 years before I paid $1.5k for an used Tact Digital Integrated Amp (S2150) which was not very different in presentation except that the bass was little bit more tight and nimble.
I am now retiring the Tact and putting the Panny back into action because my family would be happy with one remote for volume/input rather than using a HDMI switcher AND a digital input selector for using the TV/Home Theater with the TACT amp.
I tested the Panny yesterday (resurrected from my garage) and it seems fine driving a pair of Magnepan planar on-wall speakers (MGMC1).

The high-end Pioneer receivers have Class-D amps but they operate with analog signal as input, where as the Panny works with digital input signal. That is why the Panny is considered a "pure digital" amplifier.
I have had my SA-BX500 for 2 years before I paid $1.5k for an used Tact Digital Integrated Amp (S2150) which was not very different in presentation except that the bass was little bit more tight and nimble.
I am now retiring the Tact and putting the Panny back into action because my family would be happy with one remote for volume/input rather than using a HDMI switcher AND a digital input selector for using the TV/Home Theater with the TACT amp.
I tested the Panny yesterday (resurrected from my garage) and it seems fine driving a pair of Magnepan planar on-wall speakers (MGMC1).

Just moved, and after auditioning a stack of expensive modern receivers, went back to the SA-BX500. The sound is just so great and runs cool enough to sit in a cabinet.

Over time I've had good luck getting it to decode new formats and interface with various equipment.

But I might have hit the wall here with 3D.

Using various tricks, like handshaking the TV and BD first, then connecting the SA-BX500, I can occasionally get sound and picture, but not in proper 3D. Sometimes it's blank, sometimes, degraded, sometimes U701 error.

Before I spend too much time on it, can anyone confirm whether they've found a way to pass through 3D with this receiver?

I've heard ideas like a dual-output BD player, but haven't found an affordable 3D model with dual outputs.

Also wondering if someone can vouch for an affordable HDMI splitter that will allow 3D picture with lossless audio on this receiver.

Just moved, and after auditioning a stack of expensive modern receivers, went back to the SA-BX500. The sound is just so great and runs cool enough to sit in a cabinet.
Over time I've had good luck getting it to decode new formats and interface with various equipment.
But I might have hit the wall here with 3D.
Using various tricks, like handshaking the TV and BD first, then connecting the SA-BX500, I can occasionally get sound and picture, but not in proper 3D. Sometimes it's blank, sometimes, degraded, sometimes U701 error.
Before I spend too much time on it, can anyone confirm whether they've found a way to pass through 3D with this receiver?
I've heard ideas like a dual-output BD player, but haven't found an affordable 3D model with dual outputs.
Also wondering if someone can vouch for an affordable HDMI splitter that will allow 3D picture with lossless audio on this receiver.

I doubt that the SA-BX500 will do 3D. Other newer receivers specify that they will do 3D and it is highly unlikely that you will find this on the spec sheet for this Panasonic. As a side note, the 2nd output on a 3D compatible AVR has nothing to do with 3D. Both outputs should output 3D onto your high definition screen. That second output is usually for those with projectors. So aside from a 3D ready BR player, you have to have a 3D compatible AVR.

I doubt that the SA-BX500 will do 3D. Other newer receivers specify that they will do 3D and it is highly unlikely that you will find this on the spec sheet for this Panasonic. As a side note, the 2nd output on a 3D compatible AVR has nothing to do with 3D. Both outputs should output 3D onto your high definition screen. That second output is usually for those with projectors. So aside from a 3D ready BR player, you have to have a 3D compatible AVR.

I'm aware about newer receivers stating they are 3D compatible. But i was hoping for someone with direct experience on this receiver who could say they have definitely done this or definitely ruled it out.

I've made this receiver do things not on the spec sheet and was hoping this would be another undocumented capability.

For the dual ouput BD play my intention would be to have one output go to the TV which could provide the EDID answer back to the movie that yes 3D is compatible, and the other output to the SA-BX500 to receive lossless audio. Wouldn't that work?

If a dual output BD player won't work or can't be found, what about a 3D compatible HDMI splitter? Something like monoprice item 8204 or 7522? Ideally someone with SA-BX500 is doing the same thing and has already found a compatible splitter.

Nice to see some activity on this thread, and that I'm not the only one still using my SA-BX500. Since I have no intention of ever going 3D (unless we someday get holographic "real" 3D instead of this cheesy-looking cut-out figure type stuff we have now), I'll probably keep using it until it dies.

As for deep color, isn't it true that there are no deep-color sources, so this is a useless feature? Tesla, I'm not being snide, I'm checking to see if my understanding is correct.

There is also something I'd like to confirm about the SA-BX500. Does the "surround" button on the front of the receiver duplicate the "surround off" button on the remote, and is the function of these buttons merely to toggle on/off between "plain vanilla" DD 5.1 (or whatever) versus the various processed sound field modes such as movie, news, action, etc., or for music, jazz club, rock and so on?

Yes, the surround button on the front panel has remote "surround on" and "surround off" buttons that turn the front panel button on/off.

Hey TLTZZZ--

Thanks for responding, but I'm not following you and I think you might be incorrect. There is no "surround on" button on the remote. There is a field on the remote labeled "surround" that contains 5 buttons, which are labeled: 1) OFF; 2) DD PLIIx; 3) NEO:6; 4) SFC MUSIC; 5) SFC MOVIE.

If you watch the front panel illuminated display on the receiver, buttons 4 and 5 turn on, and cycle you through, the various sound field effects. Pressing button 1), i.e., "OFF", cancels the SFC and takes you back to unprocessed Dolby Digital -- 5.1, 2 channel, or whatever is coming into the digital input. Pressing the OFF button again does NOT toggle SFC back on, it does nothing. To turn SFC back on, you have to hit music or movie again (or, press the "surround" button on the front panel). Unlike the "off" button on the remote, the surround button on the front panel is a toggle on/off for the SFC, but I do not know how you cycle through the various modes using the front panel buttons.

The buttons on the remote do not "turn the front panel button on/off," although I guess you could think of it that way. I think of it as, the buttons duplicate the same function on the AVR; except in this case not exactly, since the 'surround off" button on the remote does not toggle SFC on/off like the front panel button does, it only works as an "off."

I believe I have confirmed my understanding by referring to pages 28-29 of the manual, following the oft-repeated advice in these forums to RTFM. However, something very confusing to me on page 29 is: "The factory setting is 'MOVIE' of Dolby Pro Logic IIx." I don't know if this means that pressing the DD PLIIx button on the remote is the same as turning on the movie SC modes, or something different. It seems like it should be the latter, which is what makes this statement so confusing to me. Any AV rocket scientists out there that can explain this?

Sorry, but I was referring to the "buttons" programmed on my Harmony One remote, not the manufacturer's remote. There are often IR codes you can use that the manufacturer doesn't put on their own remote, and this is such a case. Those on/off IR codes turn on/off the last surround setting you used without changing which surround you've chosen. In that way it's the same as the button on the front of the receiver.

Hi Goes to 11,
Sorry, but I was referring to the "buttons" programmed on my Harmony One remote, not the manufacturer's remote. There are often IR codes you can use that the manufacturer doesn't put on their own remote, and this is such a case. Those on/off IR codes turn on/off the last surround setting you used without changing which surround you've chosen. In that way it's the same as the button on the front of the receiver.

Got it! Now I need to check how I have my Harmony programmed. I think I have separate on and off buttons, a toggle would be better. Since I don't use the SFC modes much if at all, it's never been an issue. But now I'm curious.

Hey TLTZZZ--
Thanks for responding, but I'm not following you and I think you might be incorrect. There is no "surround on" button on the remote. There is a field on the remote labeled "surround" that contains 5 buttons, which are labeled: 1) OFF; 2) DD PLIIx; 3) NEO:6; 4) SFC MUSIC; 5) SFC MOVIE.
If you watch the front panel illuminated display on the receiver, buttons 4 and 5 turn on, and cycle peimar led lights you through, the various sound field effects. Pressing button 1), i.e., "OFF", cancels the SFC and takes you back to unprocessed Dolby Digital -- 5.1, 2 channel, or whatever is coming into the digital input. Pressing the OFF button again does NOT toggle SFC back on, it does nothing. To turn SFC back on, you have to hit music or movie again (or, press the "surround" button on the front panel). Unlike the "off" button on the remote, the surround button on the front panel is a toggle on/off for the SFC, but I do not know how you cycle through the various modes using the front panel buttons.
The buttons on the remote do not "turn the front panel button on/off," although I guess you could think of it that way. I think of it as, the buttons duplicate the same function on the AVR; except in this case not exactly, since the 'surround off" button on the remote does not toggle SFC on/off like the front panel button does, it only works as an "off."
I believe I have confirmed my understanding by referring to pages 28-29 of the manual, following the oft-repeated advice in these forums to RTFM. However, something very confusing to me on page 29 is: "The factory setting is 'MOVIE' of Dolby Pro Logic IIx." I don't know if this means that pressing the DD PLIIx button on the remote is the same as turning on the movie SC modes, or something different. It seems like it should be the latter, which is what makes this statement so confusing to me. Any AV rocket scientists out there that can explain this?